March 16 update: The Kailua Pier suffered some asphalt damage, but is safe and ready for cruise ships to resume calling,, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, which inspected the busy Big Island pier yesterday. The DLNR also found damage to the Kealakekua reef was less than expected, after a two-story home was pulled into the bay by the March 11 tsunami, although the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that a commercial salvage operation will need to remove the portion of the roof and rafters still floating in the historic marine preserve.

Meanwhile, Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, on the island of Hawai’i, announced today it will reopen April 30 — about six weeks longer than originally predicted — in order to repair tsunami damage from March 11, following the cataclysmic earthquake in Japan.

According to a press release from General Manager Robert Whitfield the luxurious resort “sustained damage from the storm surge, bringing water, sand and debris onto the grounds, mainly affecting pool areas, landscaping, a restaurant and 12 guest rooms and suites.”

Allaying fears about the financial impact of the closure on an island still dealing with lowered visitor numbers due to the economic downturn, the announcement continues:

Resort staff has been instrumental in the early clean-up efforts, and will remain so throughout the restoration. The Resort intends to keep all staff employed in various capacities wherever possible.

We had planned on opening the Resort earlier, however upon further inspection and damage assessment, we determined it best to sustain the closure until April 30, in order to limit impact on the guest experience. While there is no significant structural damage, we are well aware of what our guests desire and our need to provide that experience at the highest level possible. This additional time will allow us to polish the property in the fashion it is known for. We’d like to thank our guests for their understanding and outpouring of support, as we bring this place back to perfect form. Our thoughts continue to be with those directly affected by this tragedy.

Guests with reservations before April 30 are being contacted about alternate arrangements, which include rebooking for later stays or moving to another Four Seasons in the islands (two on Lana’i, one on Maui) or around the world.

Jeanne Cooper / Special to SFGate

One of several oceanfront pools at the Four Seasons on the Big Island, which will remain closed through April 30.

Original item (March 15):

Nearly all Hawai’i visitor destinations have reopened and ocean excursions resumed following the March 11 tsunami, which fortunately led to no deaths or serious injuries reported in Hawai’i, and only limited, though costly, damage to a few specific areas. The latter is understandably of grave concern to affected residents, but travelers should not feel discouraged from enjoying a vacation — and helping the islands’ economy.

Through March 14 I’d been updating an islands-wide post and a Hulihe’e Palace-focused post on tsunami damage and reopenings/recovery efforts, but I’ll begin the new thread here. The latest updates include:

Big Island: At Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island, as of yesterday visitors have been allowed access to “limited areas” of the park including the visitor center, paved parking area, the amphitheater and the canoe hālau from 9 a.m. [to] 4 p.m., according to a press release on the park Web site. “The royal grounds, pu’uhonua [place of refuge], picnic area, coastal and 1871 trails all remain closed to entry,” it continued, noting, “The tsunami surges entered the royal grounds and fish ponds throughout the day on March 11, scattering marine debris and coastal vegetation throughout the park grounds.”

Ki’i (tiki) stand guard at Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, which is allowing limited access during the tsunami cleanup.

As reported earlier here, Kona Village resort (which had been safely evacuated, as with all other hotels) is temporarily closed while repairs are being made to cottages swept off their foundation, the Four Seasons plans to reopen March 21 after repairs to damage in public areas, and the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel’s lodging is unaffected, although its restaurant, lobby and ground-floor merchants are cleaning up from water damage.

Although Body Glove and other excursion providers from Kailua-Kona were back in business after the tsunami, “some boat charters have not yet resumed operations,” according to a press release from the Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau. A scheduled cruise ship call, which would have sent passengers to Kailua-Kona pier via tenders, has been canceled for tomorrow. Although its check-in office and gear storage in Keauhou Harbor was damaged, Fair Wind cruises’ two vessels were undamaged and are expected to resume snorkeling and manta ray tours tomorrow.

Hulihe’e Palace, which saw basement flooding and damage to outlying buildings and walls, remains temporarily closed but will host an afternoon concert on its lawn this Sunday, March 20, during the Kailua Village stroll, which turns Ali’i Drive into a street fair for pedestrians. It will also host its outdoor annual fund-raiser on March 26.

Maui/Lāna’i: Kahului Harbor, which saw one of the larger surges from the tsunami, has reopened, and boat tours “are up and running” from Lahaina and Mā’alaea harbors, according to a press release from the Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau, although the “shuttle” (presumably the Expeditions Lanai ferry) between Maui and Lana’i is “operating with smaller vessels” while “harbor issues are being resolved.